owlectomy

I can sympathize about the pressure to get rid of stuff. I had some pretty bad moves, too, and ended up collecting Stuff as a defense. Some people have security blankies, I have a security library.... But I don't really need it any more. And really, I'm not going to read most of it; much of what I might actually read is available in the library; and the proliferation of penny books on Amazon and my current financial situation means I can buy anything I want again when I want it, instead of holding it against that day.

The point of selling, for me, isn't so much the making money (though that doesn't hurt) -- it's confirming for myself that things have value, and getting them to someone who wants them. I sell things first; if they're not worth enough to sell, I donate (and keep kind of crazy records for the IRS, pictures and inventories and receipts); then I may toss. Donations go first to Books for Africa, then the library, then Goodwill-equivalent.

Um, I'm not saying you ought to do this! I'm trying to sympathize and explain how I am dealing with that anxiety, in case it helps.